Possible Terror Attack Thwarted at D.C.'s St. Matthew's Cathedral

AP Photo/Cliff Owen

It seems hardly a day goes by without some sort of attack or attempted attack, and not even houses of worship are excluded from the target lists of various wackos. On Sunday morning, a possible terror attack on Washington, D.C.'s St. Matthew's Cathedral was thwarted with the arrest of a man outside the cathedral. The man was in possession of what appeared to be fireworks and "vials of liquids."

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A man was arrested outside of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle Sunday morning before Red Mass started, according to D.C. police.

Officers were assigned at the cathedral early Sunday morning for Red Mass, which marks the start of the Supreme Court's annual term and is offered to members of judges, lawyers and anyone working in a legal profession.

At 6 a.m., police officers saw 41-year-old Louis Geri, who set up a tent on the steps of the cathedral. Geri was previously prohibited from the cathedral's premises, police said.

Geri refused to leave and was arrested by police. Officers said they found multiple suspicious items inside of Geri's tent, including vials of liquid and possible fireworks.

D.C. police's Explosive Ordinance Disposal team and the Arson Task Force searched Geri's belongings at the cathedral. Police say the scene has been secured and there is no threat to the public. The front entrance to the cathedral and the 1700 block of Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest D.C. remain closed as the investigation continues.

It's not known if there were any indications of possible trouble ahead of time that would have prompted the officers' presence, but Louis Geri had been prohibited from entering the cathedral's grounds previously. 

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If Louis Geri is a would-be terror attacker, he's not a particularly smart or competent one, what with his setting up a tent on the actual steps of the cathedral - and keeping his questionable possessions therein. He has been charged with "unlawful entry, threats to kidnap or injure a person, and possession of a Molotov cocktail." 

Stating "Molotov cocktail" in the charges implies that the "vials of liquid" contained gasoline or some other flammable liquid. 


Read More: Man Rams FBI Gate in Pittsburgh in Alleged 'Act of Terror'

Breaking: Yom Kippur Terror Attack at UK Synagogue Leaves Two Dead


The Red Mass, named for the traditional colored robes of the celebrants, is held every year just before the opening of the United States Supreme Court's fall session. The Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.'s website describes the mass:

The Red Mass invokes God’s blessings and guidance in the administration of justice under the power of the Holy Spirit and is a tradition that dates back many centuries to Rome, Paris, and London. The name comes from the color of the vestments worn by the celebrants and the color of fire, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated annually at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, traditionally on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, which marks the opening of the Supreme Court’s annual term.

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This year's Red Mass, the 73rd such ceremony, was carried out as usual, as Louis Geri was cooling his heels in jail.

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